Year: 2026
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Recent advances in arthritis treatment pin ionizing X-ray radiation as a useful tool in reducing joint pain and immune response. However, due to a lack of fundamental research in the effects of low-dose ionizing radiation on tendon and ligament biomechanics, the safety of these studies is rather unknown. While most related studies investigated cellular response to low dose treatment, surrounding tissue physiology is left out of the picture. Additionally, moderate range doses of irradiation are rarely studied, as most uses of radiation on tendons and ligaments are for sterilization of cadaver tendons for allografts. This study provides a preliminary investigation of the effects of 2 Gray (Gy) ionizing X-ray radiation on a porcine patellar ligament model. In preparing a suitable tensile test to model mechanical changes, a novel testing method was developed and validated for this explicit study. Patellar ligaments, still attached to the patella and tibia, were excised from porcine knee samples, subjected to preliminary mechanical testing, and irradiated. Ligaments were then subjected to tensile testing, where early elastic modulus, final elastic modulus, and yield stress were compared across testing groups and within individual ligaments. From these studies, none of these three markers of irradiation damage on ligament biomechanics were considered statistically significant, most likely due to trouble maintaining a controlled environment, low sample size, and differences seen later during metabolism. Overall, while future studies are necessary to properly assess biomechanical changes due to moderate radiation doses, this study provides a great foundation for further research.
Source: TigerPrints (Clemson University)
Author: Landefeld, Andrew
Institution: Clemson University
Language: English
Subfield: Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7164626182